Cooking classes aren't standard fare

9/17/2003

Learning something new, especially if it's edible, is always enriching. There is a wide array of cooking classes in the Boston area, some beyond the usual.

Converse Espanol y Cocine Paella at Cambridge Center for Adult Education this fall offers a chance to learn the intricacies of paella and brush up on conversational Spanish at the same time. Rafael Pereira, who also teaches Caribbean and South American cooking, limits the class to 16 students so everyone has time to talk. Students must have intermediate to advanced conversational Spanish to participate. It will be held on Nov. 8, from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. ($58). For information, call 617-547-6789 or go to www.ccae.org.

Venturing into Cambodian cuisine sounds exotic enough, but owners of Elephant Walk, mother Longteine de Monteiro and daughter Nadsa de Monteiro, are going one better by offering two views: one traditional and one innovative. Longteine de Monteiro will teach a series of three classes that explore Cambodia's culture and cuisine, its influences from China and India, and its classic dishes at her home on Sept. 27, Oct. 25, and Nov. 8 ($69 each). Nadsa de Monteiro's classes will unveil the Elephant Walk way of melding French and Cambodian flavors and improvising on the traditional, on Sept. 20, Oct. 11, and Nov.15 ($59 each). For information, call 617-492-6900 or go to www.elephantwalk.com.

Because of the demand for classes, Ruby Chard Catering is closing its catering branch in West Roxbury and offering an expanded class schedule in Quincy and Milton. Chef and owner Joan McIsaacs will teach meat and poultry dishes; other instructors include Suzanne Lombardi, whose company Tiny Trapeze makes organic candy, and Heather Macdonald, pastry chef at Rustic Kitchen ($34 to $38 per class). For information, call 617-325-6060 or go to www.rubychard.com.

Alison Arnett